90% of our energy sourced from renewable wind and solar by 2020
From Phoebe Howe, Canberra Loves 40%
In Australia you could be forgiven for thinking that reducing emissions is a fairytale notion. Idealistic, something we’d all love, but childish and impossible in reality. Developments of ACT climate policy are often dismissed as Canberra trying to play with the big kids. Over the past four years something remarkable has happened in ACT climate change policy. Yesterday the ACT Government released its long awaited final action plan outlining how the ACT can reach its 40% emissions reduction for the year 2020. The target, legislated in 2010, leads the country in local jurisdictions aiming to reduce emissions.
Today we have a policy plan, based on strong research, economic modelling and considered planning, that lays out actions to make our 40% target a reality. With our eyes on this vision, with continued community support, we are so close to realising a solution to our high emissions way of life. It includes 90% of our energy sourced from renewable wind and solar, 30% of work travel by modes other than the car, and drastically improved energy efficiency in all of our buildings by 2020. The renewable energy that we create is recognized as additional to any national emissions targets. No offsets to faraway plantations or gas power required. This plan effectively reduces the impacts of the way we live for the long term, and will wean us off almighty coal.
With ice caps melting faster than expected and global emissions still rising, it has taken too long. But it has happened. This is not the first time an ACT Government has set emissions reductions targets or made climate policy, and many immediately reacted with skepticism. To many, it is just another example of local politicians trying to leave a political legacy, or win brownie points. It is another puff of hot air, soon to be forgotten.
This reaction typifies an Australian response to change, reminiscent of the tall poppy syndrome. Those who try, fail, so why bother?
The only thing standing in the way of achieving our goal is that usual skepticism. Not the productive critical thinking that makes good policy, but the ‘Tell ‘em they’re dreaming’ fob off that teaches those trying to make change to get back in their box. We are afraid we are paying a lot for reducing emissions that are a drop in the global emissions ocean. We are afraid that we’re putting more pressure on our own household budgets when life is already too tight managing a Canberra mortgage.
Investing in reducing our emissions does cost us. But the investment will make a difference. Canberra is a fantastic place to live, or so some of us think! Yet it can be improved. If you’re sitting in traffic trying to get to work from Gungahlin or Gowrie, or if you live in a drafty pre 1970’s house through our freezing winter nights, Canberra has a lot to work on. The 40% action plan is an opportunity to face these problems, for the long term. We can make our city more liveable while reducing our emissions; increasing our energy efficiency means we waste less power, and reduce our bills. Using public transport, and walking or cycling more, reduces our own petrol costs and medical bills. Increasing our renewable energy generation creates jobs in a cleaner economy and stimulates fast developing technologies growing cheaper every day. We know we need to invest in the home so it is equipped for the family as it grows, and we know we need to invest in our city to make sure it works for us into the future. The longer we wait, the more catching up we’ll have to do, and the greater the cost. Inaction means a city that fails to plan for smarter, modern lifestyles, and waits to retrofit suburbs when problems like congestion are getting out of control.
Canberra is no Beijing or Mexico City with enormous total emissions. It is, however, the capital city of the country that leads the world with the highest emissions per person. Australians’ lifestyles create the largest carbon footprints. Canberra’s plan is making national headlines, attracting letters of congratulation from across Australia. Canberra can demonstrate that Australians can live a great lifestyle without that massive impact. And we can show this carbon-control-shy nation that reducing emissions is nothing to be afraid of.
We are already hearing debates about cost, scoffing that it will never really happen. Reading through the action plan, every action is qualified; they will only be taken if they measure up to economic expedience and cost of living concerns. In those qualifications lie the enabler and the barrier we need to address every year as we approach 2020. This community needs to ask, what will be the cost of living in a city that depends on fossil fuels long after the rest of the world has moved on? What is the cost of hesitating to act until some other nation or city does? What is the cost if each city fails to take actions to curb our emissions? And what other benefits we can reap from investing in each and every measure to reduce our emissions?
To reach this target, our leaders need to hear from those of us who know the importance of overcoming the voices that tell us we’re dreaming. Achieving our 40% target is possible, and we can afford to take responsibility for our emissions impact. It just requires the community to continue to ask our leaders to act, to continue to be willing to invest in our future. It requires the community to continue to acknowledge that the climate is changing and we must, too.
We have eight years to meet our 40% target, a target that reflects the best science, a target that responds to the reality of the problem rather than what is politically expedient. We now have an alternative to ignoring a problem that seems intractable. We can hold our leaders to account and every year call for the next step on the pathway. We can be proud of our city and our future.
Canberra premiere screening of the documentary Bimblebox
We’re excited to announce the Canberra premiere screening of the documentary Bimblebox [more information here]
Saturday 8th September, 5 – 7pm.
After some unexpected promotion we have changed to a larger venue: Manning Clark Centre, Lecture Theatre 2. at the Australian National University
See the campus map here: http://campusmap.anu.edu.au/displaybldg.asp?no=26a
The most appropriate entry to the campus by car is from Barry Drive.
Screening will be followed by a panel discussion of speakers:
Shane Rattenbury – ACT Greens MLA for Molonglo,
Paola Cassoni – Co-owner Bimblebox Nature Refuge,
Megan Evans – Researcher, Fenner School ANU,
Rebecca Horridge – Climate Action Canberra.
Free Entry
The film Bimblebox draws attention to the issues surrounding the huge expansion of coal and coal seam gas mining in Eastern Australia.
While very clearly exposing the destructiveness of this industry, the film also features solutions and viable alternatives for the future.
If you have friends in the Canberra area, please forward them this information.
If you can’t make it to a screening you can easily purchase your own copy here.
Find the event on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/list#!/events/460668050645239/
Australia is the worlds largest exporter of coal, providing almost one third of the worlds supply. It is impossible to address climate change without looking at Australia’s role in the planets climate future. 
You are invited to a party!
Celebrate the start of a price on CO2 pollution with cake and apples!
Climate Acton Canberra, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Canberra Loves 40% will be celebrating the start of a price on CO2 pollution by giving away cup-cakes and apples on July 2nd at 12.30 -1pm near the Merry-Go-Round, City Walk, Civic, and Canberra.
There are 4 ways that you can join in. Are you interested in any of these?
Monday from 12.30- 1pm: Drop by to have a cake or apple and say Hi.
Be there at 12.45 when the press are invited.
If you want to play some music bring your instrument. Climate poets also most welcome
Join the Facebook event if you are happy we will have a price on pollution: even if you can’t make it as a lot of people will be at work. Please share the Facebook event and post this online
Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/252620054848075/
Hope to see you there.
For a safe climate
Rebecca Horridge
Convenor: Climate Action Canberra
Mob: 0406 375 401 Email: rebeccahorridge@hotmail.com
A million people say: Stop Funding Climate Change
Want to stop climate change?
Then it’s time to stop funding it!
The Australian government spends at least $9.4 billion – every year – subsidising the pollution that comes from burning fossil fuels. $2 billion of that money goes – every year – to the wealthy mining companies to help pay their fuel bill. Imagine what that money could do invested in renewables – or education – or health!.
That’s why we Canberrans are taking the signatures of nearly a million people from across the planet to Treasurer Wayne Swan, calling on him to cut fossil fuel subsidies. He’s already promised to end them – as have all G20 nations. Now, people will hold actions globally to hold their leaders to that promise.
Wednesday, 20 June 2012. 9:45 until 10:30
We’ll meet on Parliament lawns to celebrate the end of fossil fuel handouts and take a photo of our petition delivery that will be seen around the world. Then, our petition will be taken inside to the Treasurer.
Bring baked goods, thermoses of warm drinks, cameras and friends – we won’t be able to stay on the lawns all morning, but we’ll be able to have a great time while we’re there 🙂
Can’t wait to see you there!
Want to know more? Check out http://endfossilfuelsubsidies.org/ and http://act.350.org/sign/make-rio-count/.
Community poll pressures Abbott on big solar
A new community poll showing overwhelming public support for big solar was presented to Tony Abbott today as legislation for the new Clean Energy Finance Corporation was debated in federal parliament.
25 community representatives, including Canberrans met MPs from all political parties – including key Opposition figures Tony Abbott [photo attached], Joe Hockey and Malcolm Turnbull – to present the results of the poll which show 94% of people support building large scale solar power plants in Australia and 95% support the government’s new $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
Climate Action Canberra met with Senator Kate Lundy’s advisor, who will help set up an appointment with Senator Lundy. They will meet with Andrew Leigh in June but are still waiting for appointments with Gary Humphries and Gai Brotmann .
“We want to meet all Canberra’s Federal representatives to present the results of our polling in Tuggeranong, Gungahlin, Dickson, Civic and Woden that show that Canberrans are overwhelmingly in support of building Big Solar projects in Australia. Most Canberrans are also happy for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation to give loans to help kick-start these projects. Canberrans also called for our Federal leaders to represent us and champion the building of Big Solar in Australia,” said Rebecca Horridge, Convenor of Climate Action Canberra.
The poll has been conducted over two months and was initiated by 100% Renewable – a community organisation tired of politicians with their eyes only on the polls -and not on the future.
“We know our leaders are fixated with polling so we decided to do our own poll” said 100% Renewable national campaign coordinator Lindsay Soutar. “Over the last 3 months we’ve polled over 12,000 people and what we found is that people are crying out for leadership and vision”
“People are excited about the potential of using our vast solar resources to power our nation. Building big solar projects just makes sense to Australians”.
“Today we are going to Canberra to show Tony Abbott these results and ask why he is not backing the new Clean Energy Finance Corporation in parliament this week.
“This new loan fund will deliver billions of dollars of new investment in solar and other renewable technologies.”
Volunteers from the campaign will met with nearly 50 MPs and advisors, and ask them what they are doing to build big solar in their electorate.
“My neighbours in North Queensland want to know why the largest solar power plant in the sunniest country in the world is a tiny 1.2 megawatts, when China and the US are building 500MW projects. It’s time the government got serious about building big solar,” said Jamie David, community representative from Cairns, who will be meeting with Bob Katter.
“These poll results today show that governments who genuinely support clean, safe renewable energy will win public support,” concluded Ms Soutar.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Rebecca Horridge: Convenor: Climate Action Canberra 0406 375 401
0411 098 853, Lindsay Soutar, National Coordinator
0421 379 646, Andrew Bray, Communications Coordinator
MORE INFORMATION: 12,000 Voices: Australia’s Vision for Big Solar – http://100percent.org.au/sites/default/files/12000VoicesforBigSolar.pdf
Andrew Bray
Communications Coordinator
100% Renewables
m 0421 379 646
We welcome you to a forum: Securing Water Food and a Safe Climate in Bangladesh.
Join political and community leaders, scientists, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics and environmentalists as they present and discuss key blueprint ideas toward securing water, food and a safe climate for Bangladesh and the world.
Date: 16 June, Saturday
Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Venue: 57 Culgoa Street, O’Mally, Canberra, Bangladesh High Commission Auditorium.
So we can estimate numbers for lunch please RSPV to Kamrul Ahasan Khan: Email ben.australia71[at] gmail.com Mobile: 045 244 1952
For more information contact:Kamrul Ahasan Khan, mobile: 045 244 1952
Dr Sawpan Paul, mobile 043 301 9377
Dr Azoy Kar, mobile 0422340462
This is a project of the Bangladesh Environment Network [www.ben-center.org/] in collaboration with Climate Action Canberra [https://climateactioncanberra.org/] and Healthy Soils Australia to celebrate World Environmental Day.
LETS BUILD BIG SOLAR : Canberra Launch
Canberra’s launch of the Australian wide LETS BUILD BIG SOLAR Campaign
12-2pm Free pizza & fruit, Music: Lord Funkton, Winiata, Chorus of Women.
12.45: Steve Blume: President, Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and Vice President Public Affairs, International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
1pm: Speakers from 100% Renewable Energy and Beyond Zero Emissions.
1.30pm: Mass photo for Let’s Build Big Solar Campaign launch
Let’s show our support for BIG SOLAR and make our MPs pay attention! The BIG SOLAR Campaign by 100% Renewable Energy is calling for the government to make a commitment this year, to build at least 2000MW of Big Solar projects (either solar thermal or solar PV power stations) by 2015.
To show our determination to both the media and politicians we invite you to join us for a mass photo at 1.30 in the Union Court at ANU.
From noon we will be celebrating with live music and free lunch. We’ll have speakers, Sunny on stilts and information about the BIG SOLAR Campaign.
Together we can make a difference! Come and join us for the photo at 1.30pm
Want to be involved by helping with this event and with the campaign? Join the survey team. Can you spare an hour or two to be a pollster? Over the next couple of months, we will be conducting a short survey of at least 1000 Canberrans on their attitudes to large scale renewable energy in Australia.
For more information, come to the launch, check out our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/events/269053719835322/
All the campaign information is at 100%Renewables web site @ http://www.100percent.org.au/ from the ANU Environment Collective and Climate-Action Canberra
Thankyou to our hosts: the Australian National Students Association. Here is the link to the ANUSA Facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/ANUStudentsAssociation
2012 Climate Action Summit
Australia’s 2012 grassroots Climate Action Summit is to go ahead on the weekend of April 28-29 at the University of Western Sydney, Parramatta campus.
An opening panel “Beyond the Carbon Price” will be held on Friday April 27 at NSW Parliament House Theatrette, Macquarie St, Sydney. Speakers from the major political parties and the ACTU have been invited to address this scene-setting discussion.
The weekend’s program of panel discussions, campaign planning and skills workshops is being readied and will be available here soon.
All climate concerned people are invited to attend this gathering of the Community Climate Network of local and grassroots action groups and campaigns.
Climate Action Canberra 